Why this matters
Rural communities in Ireland are often isolated from the rest of the country, particularly when it comes to the provision of emergency services. Sometimes potentially lifesaving assistance is struggling to reach those in need within an acceptable and critical time period. A longer response time means a greater risk to life, often resulting in serious injuries or unnecessary deaths. ICRR was set up to address this problem.
Background
ICRR was set up in West Cork in 2008 by John Kearney and Robert Fennell after both had personal experience of the importance of rapid response in emergency scenarios. ICRR have since expanded to East Cork and Wicklow and recruited volunteer GPs in key geographical locations across Ireland where a significant need has been identified. Always working with established emergency services, ICRR teams have responded to over hundreds of call-outs, dealing with approximately 500 patients to date and save an average of 2 lives a month.
What you can do
ICRR have now recruited and trained volunteer doctors key geographic locations) in Ireland but to enable these doctors operate effectively, ICRR aims to recruit volunteer champions in every community they operate in. These champions will support the medical team by fundraising and generating support and awareness locally, helping to save lives in their community.
Check if there's an ICRR Volunteer Doctor signed up in your community
Learn what's involved by downloading our step by step guide and then Register to Get Started
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